spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ponganis, P. J.
Right arrow Articles by LeMaho, Y.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ponganis, P. J.
Right arrow Articles by LeMaho, Y.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 202, Issue 20 2819-2822, Copyright © 1999 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Physiological responses of king penguins during simulated diving to 136 m depth

PJ Ponganis, GL Kooyman, R van Dam and Y LeMaho
Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204, USA and Centre d'Ecologie et Physiolgie Energetiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique,

To evaluate blood N(2) uptake and the role of the respiratory volume (air sacs/lungs) as a N(2) and O(2) reservoir in deep-diving penguins, diving respiratory volume (Vdr), heart rate (fh), venous P(N)(sum), blood volume (V(b)) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured in king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) during forced submersions and compressions equivalent to depths up to 136 m. Vdr was 69+/-18 ml kg(-)(1) (mean +/- s.d.) in 62 submersions ranging from 4.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA; 1 ATA=101 kPa) (34 m) to 14.6 ATA (136 m). Submersion fh averaged 30+/-7 beats min(-)(1) (N=18), approximately 20 % of pre- and post-submersion values. Venous P(N)(sum) values during and after submersions as deep as 11.2 ATA (102 m) were all less than 2.8 atmospheres N(2) (283 kPa) above ambient pressure, a previously measured threshold for symptomatic bubble formation. Mean V(b) was 83+/-8 ml kg(-)(1) (N=6); [Hb] was 17.6+/-0.7 g dl(-)(1) (N=7). On a mass-specific basis, mean Vdr, and therefore total available N(2), is 41 % of that in shallow-diving penguin species. Total body O(2) stores, calculated from measured Vdr, V(b), [Hb], muscle mass and myoglobin concentration, are 45 ml kg(-)(1), with 23 % in the respiratory system. This small respiratory fraction in comparison with that in shallow-diving penguins suggests a lesser reliance on the respiratory oxygen store for extended breath-holding and also a reduced uptake of nitrogen at depth.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
P. J. Ponganis, T. K. Stockard, J. U. Meir, C. L. Williams, K. V. Ponganis, R. P. van Dam, and R. Howard
Returning on empty: extreme blood O2 depletion underlies dive capacity of emperor penguins
J. Exp. Biol., December 15, 2007; 210(24): 4279 - 4285.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
A. Fahlman, A. Schmidt, D. R. Jones, B. L. Bostrom, and Y. Handrich
To what extent might N2 limit dive performance in king penguins?
J. Exp. Biol., October 1, 2007; 210(19): 3344 - 3355.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
M. J. Weise and D. P. Costa
Total body oxygen stores and physiological diving capacity of California sea lions as a function of sex and age
J. Exp. Biol., January 15, 2007; 210(2): 278 - 289.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
A. Schmidt, F. Alard, and Y. Handrich
Changes in body temperatures in king penguins at sea: the result of fine adjustments in peripheral heat loss?
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, September 1, 2006; 291(3): R608 - R618.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
T. Knower Stockard, J. Heil, J. U. Meir, K. Sato, K. V. Ponganis, and P. J. Ponganis
Air sac PO2 and oxygen depletion during dives of emperor penguins
J. Exp. Biol., August 1, 2005; 208(15): 2973 - 2980.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
G. Froget, P. J. Butler, A. J. Woakes, A. Fahlman, G. Kuntz, Y. Le Maho, and Y. Handrich
Heart rate and energetics of free-ranging king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
J. Exp. Biol., October 15, 2004; 207(22): 3917 - 3926.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
R. P. van Dam, P. J. Ponganis, K. V. Ponganis, D. H. Levenson, and G. Marshall
Stroke frequencies of emperor penguins diving under sea ice
J. Exp. Biol., December 15, 2002; 205(24): 3769 - 3774.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
R. Parkes, L. G. Halsey, A. J. Woakes, R. L. Holder, and P. J. Butler
Oxygen uptake during post dive recovery in a diving bird Aythya fuligula: implications for optimal foraging models
J. Exp. Biol., December 15, 2002; 205(24): 3945 - 3954.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
K. Sato, Y. Naito, A. Kato, Y. Niizuma, Y. Watanuki, J. B. Charrassin, C.-A. Bost, Y. Handrich, and Y. Le Maho
Buoyancy and maximal diving depth in penguins: do they control inhaling air volume?
J. Exp. Biol., May 1, 2002; 205(9): 1189 - 1197.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
D. F. Boggs, R. V. Baudinette, P. B. Frappell, and P. J. Butler
The influence of locomotion on air-sac pressures in little penguins
J. Exp. Biol., March 12, 2002; 204(20): 3581 - 3586.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PhysiologyHome page
P. J. Butler
Diving Beyond the Limits
Physiology, October 1, 2001; 16(5): 222 - 227.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1999